Arsene Wenger expects Alexis Sanchez to remain with Arsenal past the January transfer window.

Arsenal were never going to sell Sanchez without signing a replacement.

“You say everybody thinks City will come in for Alexis [in January] – I am part of everybody and I don’t think he will go,” Wenger said. “Do City need him? They have to decide that. But we need him here.”

Sanchez is also unlikely to sign an extension with Arsenal.

Wenger added: “I expect him to be motivated against City but that is always the case. One thing you cannot fault in Alexis Sánchez is his motivation. When he plays for Chile, he plays with passion that is in South America. It’s the same for [his previous club] Barcelona and Arsenal. He is happy when he is on the pitch and that is all he wants.

“Was he close to joining City? No. But at the end of the day, close or not does not matter. It does not have any influence. What is important is that, when you are somewhere and you have the opportunity to give your best, that is what you must do.”